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What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education Program?
In an online gifted and talented education degree program, you can expect to find convenient courses that prepare you to work effectively with advanced students in different roles, including teaching, administration, or instructional design.
Online master’s programs in gifted and talented education offer the same quality of education as their on-campus counterparts in a more convenient format. For teachers and other working professionals who have family, work, and other commitments, online master’s programs are a great solution to advance their careers from the comfort of home.
When exploring online master’s programs in gifted and talented education, look for a program that aligns with your short and long-term career goals.
Common degree curriculum
While the specifics of a master’s in gifted and talented education curriculum are going to vary depending on school and program type, you can expect to take some version of these standard courses no matter where you enroll:
Introduction to Gifted Education: Provides an overview of the gifted and talented field, including its foundations in sociology and philosophy, definitions, history, identification and assessment methods, curriculum analysis, and characteristics and needs of gifted learners. Other topics typically covered include theories of intelligence and social justice issues related to gifted and talented education.
Classroom Assessment: Develop skills necessary for measuring dimensions of giftedness, including achievement, creativity, and intelligence. Topics covered include methods and instruments used for assessment, procedures for making classroom or grade placement decisions, test results interpretation, social and ethical issues related to testing, ethnic and cultural diversity, and methods for monitoring the progress of advanced learners.
Collaborative Inclusion Strategies: Learn methods, concepts, and strategies for effective collaboration, communication, and consultation in gifted and talented educational settings. Also typically taught is how to respect the needs of advanced learners.
Certification and license preparation
Each state’s department of education has its own requirements for teacher licensure. As a rule, though, all teachers employed in public schools must be licensed by their state. Some gifted and talented master’s programs may have licensure built into the program, so you graduate with your master’s degree and the appropriate teaching license. Some states require a certification exam, and others may require a specialty exam in gifted education.
Master’s degree holders who have completed an administrator preparation program are eligible for educational administrator licenses. While the process differs in each state, individuals must typically have three to five years of education experience and complete an exam and background check. Gifted and talented teachers can apply for an administrator license after completing a suitable program.
Program accreditation
Accreditation is a peer-review process in higher education that ensures institutions meet specific quality standards. It reflects the legitimacy of your online master’s degree and can help improve your job prospects. Many public and private schools require job applicants to have completed an accredited teacher preparation program.
When choosing an online master’s program in gifted and talented education, confirm that the program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the field-specific accrediting agency for providers of educator preparation programs. Additionally, confirm that the school is accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Program completion timeframe
Most gifted and talented education master’s programs require between 30-36 credits on average, which most students can complete within 18-24 months, depending on whether they take classes part-time or full-time.
An average program consists of 15 core credits and 15 credits in the gifted and talented specialty, including a culminating capstone course. Most courses are about seven weeks long, and most students take two classes at a time per 14-week semester, although some students may take more.
The other factor affecting the length of your master’s degree program in gifted and talented education is the program’s structure. If it’s a cohort model, you take classes with the same small group of students and progress through the program simultaneously. With individually paced or asynchronous programs, you can choose how many courses to take each term.
Employment Outlook for Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education Graduates
When you hold a master’s degree in any education field, including gifted and talented education, you increase your job prospects and potentially boost your salary. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average base salary for teachers in public schools with a master’s degree is about 20 percent more than public school teachers with a bachelor’s degree.
Those with a master’s degree in gifted and talented education are qualified for numerous educational positions. Many experienced teachers earn a second master’s in gifted and talented education to help them differentiate lessons for their gifted and talented students. At the same time, other individuals may aspire to be gifted and talented teachers. Geographical location also makes a difference in salary. Many school systems consider gifted and talented education part of the special education program.
Below are some popular careers and their median annual salaries.
Elementary school teachers instruct younger students, typically in kindergarten through fifth grade, in basic subjects such as math, reading, science, and social studies to prepare them for middle school and high school. Gifted and talented teachers may work at the elementary level and help classroom teachers identify which students may be gifted and talented based on assessments and test results.
Gifted and talented education is considered a part of special education in many public school districts. Special education teachers generally teach students with mild to moderate cognitive, behavioral, emotional or physical disabilities, but they can also teach gifted and talented students using specialized instructional techniques.
$62,950 per year
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Professional organizations
Membership in professional organizations focused on educating gifted and talented students can help you advance your career. These organizations typically offer members-only benefits, including scholarships, webinars, extensive career services, and job boards.
National Association for Gifted Children: The NAGC supports and advocates for those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children. This organization provides a career center, an expert speakers program, and access to on-demand webinars, scholarships, and awards. It also hosts an annual convention with over 300 sessions, providing teachers with ample networking opportunities.
Association for the Gifted: TAG is a division of the Council of Exceptional Children, and it helps parents and educational professionals work more effectively with gifted and talented youth. This professional organization publishes a journal, provides discounts on health insurance and student memberships, and offers access to a career center and numerous continuing education programs.
World Council for Gifted and Talented Children: This worldwide organization supports and advocates for gifted and talented children to help them reach their full potential in educational settings and in life. The WCGTG hosts a biennial worldwide conference, gives out awards and scholarships, publishes a newsletter, lists job postings, and provides members-only networking opportunities and a student research database.
Financing Your Online Master’s in Gifted and Talented Education Degree
Even though online degrees are usually less expensive than on-campus master’s degrees, many students still need and qualify for financial aid packages to help them pay for tuition.
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is a good first step because it provides you with information about grants, loans, and scholarships available from the U.S. government. Also, keep in mind that individual schools, nonprofit organizations, and private companies offer students scholarships, so be sure to see if you qualify for those in addition to consulting the resources listed below.
Student Finance Resources and Guides
It’s essential to understand all the possible financial aid options available when considering an online master’s program. These resources can help answer your questions so that you can find the money you need to finance your education.
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
